A little worried

Should I be concerned about colon cancer? Does my poop normal or should I be concerned? I’ve Been having symptoms for 18 months and finally getting a colonoscopy in a month I’ve had Blood, mucus, left side pelvic pain.

[Nicole_GCCA Partner]

Hello Hidden ,

Thank you for posting and I'm sorry for the anxiety/symptoms you are experiencing.

There are so many reasons that you could be experiencing those symptoms, and a colonoscopy will be a critical procedure to help give you answers.

In advance of your colonoscopy, we have some tips:

1. Once you get the prescription for the prep that you'll drink, follow your doctor's instructions exactly. You want to have the cleanest colon for the doctor to be able to see everything with no fecal matter obscuring the way. We like this tool that Kaiser Permanente put together (with drawings!) that shows food to avoid and foods to eat leading up to when you actually start drinking the prep: wa.kaiserpermanente.org/htm...

2. Get prepared to prep! Many people say the prep is the worst part of the colonoscopy procedure as a whole. Depending on what your doctor prescribes, it may be a lot of the same drink with the medication mixed in (such as Gatorade) vs. a smaller volume of prep that you drink, and then separately drink a certain amount of liquid of your choice (excluding something like a red Gatorade which could stain your colon for the test).

a. In addition to picking up your prescription, buy yourself some supplies:

*Toilet paper (necessary!)

*Wet wipes (never flush wipes even if they say flushable, the last thing you want is a clogged toilet when you are in the midst of prepping for a colonoscopy),

*Magazines

b. While you are going through prep, many treat themselves to buying a movie or series they've been wanting to see.

3. If during your prep you have any concerns or don't feel well (nauseous, etc.) call your doctor to let them know what is going on.

4. Most places will require you to have a family member or friend drive you home (you can not drive for the rest of the day), most places don't want you taking a taxi or Uber home alone. Bringing a family member or friend who can take notes on what the doctor tells you when you are in the recovery area will be key - you most likely won't remember what they say.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

~Nicole @ GCCA

[mondlee6248]

Hello, do you still all those symptoms including the blood in stool??

[Hidden in reply to mondlee6248]

Yes, everything but blood comes and goes

[mondlee6248 in reply to Hidden]

Woah 18 months and colonoscopy in a month, I believe since it’s 18 months, ur symptoms shouldn’t be anything bad